Home Sweet Home

Travelling is always fun, hopping in the car, taking a road trip and visiting new places has always been something I've enjoyed. Doing it with a baby is a whole other ball game. The boy was very good-he's always very good, but babies fuss and babies get tired&cry and they don't always like being trapped in their car seats for 6 hours with nothing to look at but the rear window!!

For me though the best part about a trip away is coming home. There are so many things to enjoy in the comfort of one's own home-too many to list really so here are just a few

1. sleeping in your own bed
2. having Tim Horton's walking distance
3. no mosquitoes milling around my ears at night
4. cooking my own food (i do love eating out but love eating home made by me food even more)
5. enjoying my morning pot of coffee at my own pace :)

Today we celebrate..

All the fathers out there!!!

put your hands together for...

my hubby...Congrats go out to Gavin for receiving an award recognizing his academic achievements in the Faculty of Education this year!! All that hard work paid off :)
I had no doubts he would do it but it's always nice to be officially recognized!

what i need

Here's what you do: Google "your name + needs" and pick the first thirteen that make sense. This is hilarious (especially since Lindsay Lohan's mom is named DINA!!!). Most are not anywhere near what I need!! Thanks Chrissy!!

1. Dina needs to get help

2. Dina needs to be a MOTHER

3. Dina & Lindsay Need Rehab

4. Dina needs to grow up and realize she's not only a mother, but an ADULT,

5. Dina needs a faith-based program

6. Dina needs to keep her eyes on her children

7. Dina needs heart surgery

8. Dina needs help wiping herself or something

9. DINA Lohan needs to make up her mind

10. Dina needs love, compassion, support Doesn't everyone???

11. Dina needs to have her brows redone the only one that is kind of true!!!

12. Dina needs pain medication to treat her back Occassionally true!

13. Dina needs a big performance

10 things i can never wait for...

1. nail polish to dry. I can never wait for my nails to dry. If i paint them myself I will inevidently need to go pee or brush my hair moments after I've applied the last stroke and my nails will get nicked. A huge reason i usually wear clear or very pale colours!

2. toast to pop. When I'm hungry, I'm hungry and I just can't wait!!

3. my hair to dry. My thick hair takes a good 30 minutes to dry properly if I don't want a lot of frizz. I usually end up with a poufy, frizzy mess because I just can't stand there drying my hair until it's completely done. I usually end up letting the bottom layers dry naturally because my arm gets tired of holding the hair dryer up!!

4. the end of a book. I have a long time habit of almost always reading the last page of a book half way through the book!

5. reading a full newspaper article. If I start an article and it is continued on another page I will almost always stop reading the article. why can't they print the whole thing on one page?!?!

6. people to get to the point. I can't stand when people take forever trying to say what it is they are talking about. I find this kind of funny because I know I do this exact thing!

7. being put on hold. If I call somewhere and am put on hold for too long I will almost always hang up and never bother calling back!

8. long lines at the checkout. I just don't have patience to wait in long line ups. I refuse to wait in lines at stores such as Children's Place or Superstore. I would rather not shop there or not buy something than wait in ridiculous lines!

9. slow walkers. I can't stand getting stuck behind a doddler. I will almost always overpass or try to get around slow walkers.

10. waiting in general annoys me. If I need something done I like to get it done. I hate waiting for others to do things for me and often end up just doing things myself

some favourites

Here is a short list of some of my fave stores...
1) Reitmans great for casual work clothes and simple classic styles. I love this store. The prices are great although the quality isn't always that great.

2) Old Navy can always find jeans that fit me here. Prices are great but clothes are not always made well. Sometimes styles are kind of weird or too young.

3) GAP great classic style. Very good quality, clothes from GAP always last me a few years.

4) WINNERS just so much fun to shop at Winners. You never know what you'll find. Great for trendy lower cost pieces.

5) Le Chateau believe it or not, this store has some really nice clothes that actually fit people who are larger than a size 2!! I recently rediscovered them while shopping for a coat and figured that i'd need an XL but only needed a M!!! (although i haven't actually bought anything here for a really long time-with the exception of a necklace)

6) RW I forgot about this one...definitely one of my favourites. Pretty good quality and always has amazing sales!!!

Today is my lucky day :)

I recently realized how important it is to have a few staple items in ones wardrobe. I unfortunately realized this during an emergency "i have nothing to wear to a bar-mitvah TOMORROW" moment. Lucky for me Jill figured this one out a lot sooner than I!! She came was able to save the day at 8pm on Friday evening when I needed a dress for 11 am the next day!!

She lent me this beautiful green and black number that my husband likes so much he suggested I buy it from her!!

Today I did a little shopping after popping into my office to complete my return to work paperwork. I found this dress at Reitmans and was really pleasantly surprised when the reduced price was even further reduced!! I got this really cute black dress that can definitley be dressed up or down for a whopping $15 !! Can you believe it?!?! AND to think i wasn't sure i was going to buy it because i didn't think it was that flattering...glad i rethought it and realized I can wear better undergarmets to do the trick!

Now here is my list of wardrobe must haves

1. a really good body slimmer. Ones of these suckers can take you from a lumpy size 12 to a slim smooth lined size 10!!

2. a great pair of stilletoes. i LOVE the look of really high heels with pointy toes (like the ones i'm wearing above)

3. a little black dress. One that can be worn during the day and also in the evening. I have another one that is definitely an only evening dress, as it has spaghetti straps and a few sequins.

4. a great pair of black slacks. Also a move from day to evening pair.

5. and of course a really great handbag (which I am working on getting!)

6. a few structured jackets. I have a few and I love them. They make me feel a few pounds thinner when i look in the mirror and they can be layered, and worn nicely over jeans or with dress pants

7. a "real" necklace. Not costume jewelry, something with value and substance that can be worn with any neckline. i have a beautiful diamond heart pendant necklace that i wear to many occassions.

8. also a "real" pair of earrings. Not costume jewelry but something with real jewels, and gold.

9. a pair of skinny jeans. i'm not talking about those skinny jeans that are in style now but a pair that make you feel great. when you put these on you just feel good about yourself, your butt feels smaller, you exude confidance.

10. sexy sandals. no explanation required :)

I predict trouble on the horizon

do i have to...??

return to work that is... i got an email today from my team leader letting me know my return to work date is June 10th! I was so shocked as that is only 3 weeks away! I had planned on taking until September off (unpaid) but after discussing it with the hubby we decided it might be more realistic for me to return in August instead. He has been off work this year doing his 3rd YES 3rd bachelors degree (he collects them) so we have been living on my mat leave income plus a little extra from my employer. Gav is going to look after the boy in August and I will go to work. Elie will start daycare in September (boohoo) but what can we do???
I wonder how Gav will manage for the month doing what I have been doing for the whole year...time will tell AND I'm pretty sure the daycare lady will be able to take the boy a little early if we need her to :)

something to think about :)

You Are 46% Bitchy

Generally, you're an average woman, with average moods. But sometimes... well, watch out!Sometimes, you let your mean side get the better of you. And you enjoy every minute of it.

How'>http://www.blogthings.com/howbitchyareyouquiz/">How Bitchy Are You?

test

just testing the comments thing...hope it will work...

my new hairdo...

here it is...now if you can tell the difference between before and after let me know!!!(aside from the roots being fixed)

What hairstyle is right for you???

This is similar to what I have but I just can't get the poufiness out from the bottom layers...

Your Ideal Hairstyle:

Full and Textured

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatwomenshairstyleisrightforyouquiz/">What Women's Hairstyle Is Right For You?

Salon Scams

Have you ever walked up to the register after having your hair done to be shocked by the pricetag of your new do? This seems to happen often in my experiences. There are signs posted outside a salon stating a big special for certain services and next thing you know the person at the register is telling you those services aren't on special with the person who did your hair. This seedy practise at salons makes me so angry. It it not like I can't read and don't know better but I have been caught in this trap more times than I care to count. Usually the difference in price is fairly significant too (like a $150 cut/color compaired to the $79.99 sign in the window) On several occassions an extra charge for "styling" has been added to the cut, Can I ask, who goes to a salon and doesn't have their hair styled along with the blow dry (First Choice clients excluded) and how can the salons justify charging an additional $10-$15 for this "service"???
I suppose one way to avoid this nasty surprise is to inquire before the stylist starts as to the price, another could be to always go to the same salon/stylist (which i never do, BTW) but part of the appeal of walking-in to a salon is that i can go spur of the moment. I don't have to plan and schedule my day around my hair appointment....or perhaps salons should learn the word HONESTY and UPFRONT?!?!

Customer Service.... anyone???

Recently Jill posted a few of her pet peeves. One of them mentioned a serious problem with customer service these days. I have to agree strongly with what she posted. In the last couple of weeks I have been reminded over and over again about how customer service has gone to the dogs. The kids that work in retail just don't seem to understand the importance of treating customers with respect. I'm not even talking about going beyond the call of duty but just plain respect. Yesterday hubby and I were told "we're only human" when we complained about the length of time it was taking for our order to be processed. Firstly we had been told 40 minutes (on Saturday) then another 20 minutes, then after returning to the store THE NEXT DAY the order was still not ready. The clerk didn't seem to understand that we would have been fine with an honest "it'll take 2 hours" rather than leading us to believe it would only take 40 minutes. Well after calling the head office and speaking with the district manager we will be receiving a refund for a portion of our order and the clerk is being reprimanded. (I am now on a mission).
The other instance that comes to mind is my experience picking up drugs from the pharmacy. I went to get my refill and inadvertantly left it behind after paying for several other items. When i went to pick up the paid drugs I told the manager that nobody had bothered to call me to inform me I had forgotten my prescription. Lucky for me i hadn't needed it immediately or second trip to the store (which is quite far from home) would have been neccessary in one day. I understand that things get left behind all the time but I should have been called. The manager didn't even bother to apologize for the error nor did she even appear sorry, all she said was she would inform the pharmacist of what happened-What good does that do?

I have worked in customer service and client relations for many years and know how important it is to treat customers well. Without satified clients many of these stores would be closed down and these clerks would be out of jobs.
The problem seems to be partialy due to so many youth who grew up in the "me" generation. They were handed everything they ever needed or wanted, they were led to believe the world revolved around them and now they are displaying this attitude while sabatoging their futures. When they get into "real life jobs" they will be shocked to discover the world is full of sacrafices and things don't always go the way they want!

a few life essentials

After running into Jill at the drugstore this morning I started thinking about some of my "can't live without" essentials

My new favourite accessory, the headband. Since I now shower in the evenings in order to enjoy a long luxurious baby-free time to myself it is hard to get my hair to look good in the mornings. I can just pull my hair back in one of my many headbands, put on a little makeup and off i go...no more fussing with a flat iron, gunky gel or tonnes of hairspray. I just brush through my bed head hair, headband and i'm done!!

Olay essentials daily moisturiser. It is a cream and sunscreen all in one. Love it!!

Baby oil. I use it after the shower, all over, especially on my extremely dry feet. I find it works better than any moisterizer I have tried and smells nice too! If my feet are really dry and cracked I put baby oil and vaseline on and then cover my feet with socks. My feet are nice and soft in the morning.

Activia yogut. I have done the ACTIVIA CHALLENGE and I have to say it really really worked for me!! My digestive system has been a little screwy over the past 10 years or so and now that I eat one of these a day I feel amazing!! No more bloating, a lot less discomfort. I highly reccomend it!

Tylenol cold medicine. I have been sniffling and sneezing with a sore throat for a few days now. I wake up in the morning feeling awful, pop a day time relief Tylenol and I feel better the whole day. Same goes for the night time relief pills. I double my dose to two pills for night time and voila, i am able to sleep, my sniffles go away and I don't feel the scratch in my throat until morning!

Cheerios. This is more something i have on hand to keep my headaches to a minimum. My little guy loves them and they can keep him quiet and entertained for a good hour at a time!! Just pour some on his tray and I can actually clean the whole kitchen while he pops them in his mouth!! Yeah for General Mills Cheerios!!!

in honour of my 145th post...something fun

You Are 40% Lady

You tend to make up your rules of etiquette, throwing all conventions aside. And while you try to be a lady (sometimes), your behavior is often quite shocking.

Are You A Lady?

How ironic!!!!

You Are a Ham Sandwich

You are quiet, understated, and a great comfort to all of your friends. Over time, you have proven yourself as loyal and steadfast. And you are by no means boring. You do well in any situation - from fancy to laid back. Your best friend: The Turkey Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

OH MY GOODNESS...they got it spot on!! I used to LOVE HIM :)

Your 80s Heartthrob Is

Michael J. Fox

Who's Your 80's Heartthrob?

How often do you....

do the following...
i was watching Oprah a while back and she mentioned that she changes her bed sheets every other day...i thought that sounded a little excessive (she probably has someone do it for her) but it got me wondering about the following
How often do you
1) change your bed sheets?
2) wash your floor?
3) vaccum the carpets?
4) do laundry?
5) clean the bath tub?
6) wash the sinks with bleach/disinfectant?
7) dust all major surfaces?
8) run your dishwasher?
9) clean the toilet?
10) sweep the floor?

Here are my answers
1) once a week (or sometimes 2 weeks)
2) once a week (now- i used to wait way longer but now that we've got a baby-must do it more often)-was talking to a friend who said her nanny cleans their floor every day- I wish!!
3) n/a (we have no carpets)
4) once a week (about 5-6 loads in one day)
5) once a week or two
6) try to remember once a day
7) oy...not nearly enough(usually do it when i can clearly write my name in the dust)
8) every other day
9) try to remember once a week or so
10) should do it once a day but probably get to it once a week

FOODOLOGY
Q. What is your salad dressing of choice? i like balsamic vinegar with raspberry or honey mustard

Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?A. Swiss Chalet
. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?A. Satay on the Road or Trappers
.Q. On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?A. I think %10 is adequate or %15 if the service was really good
Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?A. sushi
Q. What is your favorite type of gum?A. Cinnimon
Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer?A. a cute picture of Elie
Q. How many televisions are in your house?A. 2 one in living room and one hidden in the basement.
BIOLOGY
Q. What’s your best feature?A. I think my hair
.Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?A. nope-well does a sliver count?

Q. Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?A. Smell.
Q. When was the last time you had a cavity?A. oy, almost every time i go to the dentist (well the last dentist-i'm sure he "invented" some cavaties KWIM??
Q. What is the heaviest item you lifted last?A. well i bought this HUGE pack of toilet paper (50 rolls) it felt pretty heavy to me
Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?A.no but been unconscoius due to excessive drinking...
BULLSHITOLOGY
Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?A. No.
Q. Is love for real?A. yup
Q. If you could change your first name, what would you change it to?A. when i was a kid i wanted to be named Jennifer because all my friends were named Jennifer- i hated having a unique name
Q. What color do you think looks best on you?A. red
Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?A. not that i know of
Q. Have you ever saved someone’s life?A. no
Q. Has someone ever saved yours?A. litterally no, possibley yes if you count helping me with a flat tire on the side of a highway...
DAREOLOGY
Q. Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?A. depends on how public
Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?A. sure, maybe even for less than $100!
.Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?A. uh...no way
Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?A. yes!! then i'd have time for things like exercise again!!
Q. Would you pose nude in a magazine for $250,000?A. Sure but i doubt anyone would WANT to look at the photos!
Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1,000?A. depends on how hot...
Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?A. i couldn't do it!
Q. Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000?A. i think i could do it
Q. Give up MySpace forever for $30,000?A. Yes. Never been on it
DUMBOLOGYQ:
What is in your left pocket?A. lint and a tissue
Q: Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie?A. hated it...thought it was really stupid
Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?A. all hardwood
Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?A. stand
.Q: Could you live with roommates?A. not anymore. Family doesn't count right?
Q: How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?A. none. i just gave them all to Goodwill!
Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops?A. never. I have never even been stopped once !!
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?A. aren't I already grown up??? and the answer is still I have no idea!!
LASTOLOGYQ:
Friend you talked to?A. Jill- ran into her at Shoppers this morning
Q: Last person you called?A. Marlene. Needed to confirm plans for the day.
RANDOMOLOGY
Q: First place you went this morning?A. bathroom
Q: What can you not wait to do?A. get my hair done and manicure
Q: What’s the last movie you saw?A. Conversations with other women (rented)Q: Are you a friendly person?A. I try to be.